Island Nucklehead wrote:That's all folks are saying, Farhan. $4.5M for a PK specialist is too much money. The Canucks are simply not a playoff team if Burrows produces like a 3rd (or 4th, at this point) liner.

Fair enough.

I just think that given Burrows' history and past success here, he has earned the right to have a little slack thrown his way. He needs to pick it up obviously when he gets back, but lets not call for the guy's head if he comes back and gets off to a bit of a slow start.

A little slack is indeed deserved. Four straight 25+ goal seasons, a 22-goal pace last year, all while playing almost 0 Powerplay Time and kills penalties. From a career-average of 13% shooting percentage, which has been remarkably consistent over the last 5 seasons, he should have had around 6 goals in 17 games this year. Obviously he's shooting 0% this season, but from the games I've seen he's been robbed on many, many glorious opportunities and been the victim of bad luck more than anything else.

$4.5 million is fair market value for a 32-year-old 25-goal scorer who kills penalties. From what I've seen of him this year, I believe he is still a 25-goal scorer. It is devestating that he's not producing, and might end up being the difference between this team making the playoffs or not, but he doesn't deserve to be thrown under the bus just yet.

Could someone explain: If a player is playing Jr hockey like Cassels, is it normal for the drafting team (the Canucks) to be able to sign that player to a contract while they're playing for their junior team?? I thought they would have to be playing with the parent club (the Canucks) in order to get a contract? I know that he can't play in the AHL until he's a certain age. Kind of an odd rule really.

Myself, along with others, thought that Cassels was one of the best Canuck prospects at the 'young stars' tournament in Penticton this fall, and personally I found it odd that he was sent down to his OHL junior team without being given any playing time with the Canucks over the pre-season. So in my mind Cassels is an under-rated prospect who WILL be playing in the 'bigs' yet.

With some of the trade talk that has been bantied about of late, and then hearing about Cassels attempted signing to a contract today, I found myself wondering if Gillis would consider using Cassels as a player as part of a package in a trade deal?? I dunno. All i really know is that this kid has more to offer than he has been given credit for.

nuckster wrote:Could someone explain: If a player is playing Jr hockey like Cassels, is it normal for the drafting team (the Canucks) to be able to sign that player to a contract while they're playing for their junior team??

Myself, along with others, thought that Cassels was one of the best Canuck prospects at the 'young stars' tournament in Penticton this fall, and personally I found it odd that he was sent down to his OHL junior team without being given any playing time with the Canucks over the pre-season. So in my mind Cassels is an under-rated prospect who WILL be playing in the 'bigs' yet.

I'm not sure about the CBA and stuff, but I think the Canucks can sign Cassels anytime. He is Canuck property and I think we have like 2 years to sign him; if we can't sign him, he either goes back into the draft or becomes a free agent.

As far as him getting a chance to show his stuff at camp and him being involved in a trade? I think because of his draft position and the number of other prospects we had around, it was just a numbers game, so he was sent back to his junior club early. I'm sure he's raising some eyebrows with his play and I'm sure he will get a good look next year @ training camp. I'm not worried about him, he will get a chance to show what he can do against better competition. As far as a trade goes, u never know. He might get packaged in a deal, but I don't think his trade value is that high as he was just recently drafted in the 3rd round, so he is not really considered a top prospect just yet. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep up those numbers over the season and maybe become a dominate player in the OHL, then his stock might go up a bit. Keep in mind, there are always lots of guys who can light up the junior ranks, but can't make the jump to the NHL.

Cassels' contract was initially rejected by the NHL due to a technicality involving an unattainable games-played bonus. Gilman said late Wednesday the contract has been revised and sent back to the league and Cassels' agent.

The Canucks can sign any of their players to contracts including players in the CHL, like they have with Bo Horvat, Hunter Shinkaruk, Brendan Gaunce, Nicklas Jensen, Cody Hodgson and virtually every other prospect of note.

It's the players headed for (or already in) NCAA hockey that can't sign due to the restrictive nature of "amateur status" that organization requires of its players.. the CHL allows it, the first year of the contract simply 'slides' until the player makes his professional debut.

That being said what I can't really recall is hearing of a prospect signed in the middle of a season like this. Given that USA Hockey just named their final WJC training camp roster and Cassels was not on it, one has to wonder whether this contract was seen as a vote of confidence and a bit of a consolation prize for the young player.

dbr wrote:That being said what I can't really recall is hearing of a prospect signed in the middle of a season like this. Given that USA Hockey just named their final WJC training camp roster and Cassels was not on it, one has to wonder whether this contract was seen as a vote of confidence and a bit of a consolation prize for the young player.

In that case what do the Canucks give Gaunce? A paid trip to Tahiti for Christmas?

Having him under contract also makes him more tradeable. Not saying he is going to be traded but it makes it easier to package him up. But I think overall the Canucks are pleased with his development and the contract is his reward.

dbr wrote:That being said what I can't really recall is hearing of a prospect signed in the middle of a season like this. Given that USA Hockey just named their final WJC training camp roster and Cassels was not on it, one has to wonder whether this contract was seen as a vote of confidence and a bit of a consolation prize for the young player.

In that case what do the Canucks give Gaunce? A paid trip to Tahiti for Christmas?

I don't know what to make of Gaunce. So much was made about him initially, but his damn foot-speed is like ...what? Now he didn't make it onto the WJ team. Not a promising sign from one who was so highly touted a year ago or so. BUT, in spite of this kind of speculation, didn't Erie of the OHL seek him out in a trade just recently? What do they see that's not readily apparent to the unaware west coast arm chair speculator? `Southern Canuck' might have some insight to offer here since he's on top of the prospect scene more than most?

dbr wrote:That being said what I can't really recall is hearing of a prospect signed in the middle of a season like this. Given that USA Hockey just named their final WJC training camp roster and Cassels was not on it, one has to wonder whether this contract was seen as a vote of confidence and a bit of a consolation prize for the young player.

In that case what do the Canucks give Gaunce? A paid trip to Tahiti for Christmas?

I don't know what to make of Gaunce. So much was made about him initially, but his damn foot-speed is like ...what? Now he didn't make it onto the WJ team. Not a promising sign from one who was so highly touted a year ago or so. BUT, in spite of this kind of speculation, didn't Erie of the OHL seek him out in a trade just recently? What do they see that's not readily apparent to the unaware west coast arm chair speculator? `Southern Canuck' might have some insight to offer here since he's on top of the prospect scene more than most?

I haven't seen him play other than a couple of pre-season and camp highlights. Is is speed really that bad, or is it just average?

All I've read about him on here is that he projects as a third line center, and honestly if he's got average speed that isn't the end of the world if he's smart enough to make up for it positionally and play a more physical game. Speed is nice though when you want a third line that can get in on the forecheck and quickly recover.